Monday, December 30, 2013

- Go out to eat for lunch on the 31st or the 1st.
- Stay up late watching old movies with friends or a loved one.
- Buy your favorite bottle of wine and toast each other before going to bed.
- Play games with your kids, friends or loved ones until midnight.
- have a fix and eat party - start the evening with everyone fixing their favorite treat and end the evening with everyone eating.

- want to be alone?
- take a long hot bath with candles and scented bath soap.
- reread one of your favorite books or maybe try a new one.
- write - you don't have to be an author to want to capture what happened in the past year.
- enjoy the quiet and stare at the beautiful sights right outside your window.

Whatever you decide to do - make it fun and something that you will remember. After all, this is the last day of year.

Friday, December 6, 2013

Mistletoe was often hung over the entrances to homes of the pagans in Scandinavian countries to keep out evil spirits. An old Scandinavian myth tells of the seemingly invulnerable god, Balder, who was struck down by a dart made from mistletoe. The tears of this mother, Frigga, became the white berries of the mistletoe, and it was decreed that the plant must never again be used as a weapon.

Frigga, who was the goddess of love, henceforth gave a kiss to anyone who passed under the mistletoe. It may be that our present custom of kissing under the mistletoe derives from this old legend.

Legend holds that the Druids, who were members of a pagan religious order in ancient Gaul, Briton and Ireland, held the mistletoe in such reverence that if enemies met under it in the forest, a truce was declared for the day. It was their belief that only happiness would enter a home when mistletoe hung over the door.

When the Yule season approached, the mistletoe was cut down from the sacred oaks by the Prince of the Druids who used a golden sickle. The mistletoe was distributed to the people who believed it possessed powers of the protection against sickness and evil. Later among Christians it came to symbolize the healing powers of Christ.

Monday, December 2, 2013

This was written by Becky Ransey of Indiana "I would like to tell you of the benefits of that plain little old bottle of 3% peroxide you can get for under $1.00 at any drug store. My husband has been in the medical field for over 36 years, and most doctors don't tell you about peroxide, or they would lose thousands of dollars."

1. Take one capful (the little white cap that comes with the bottle) and hold in your mouth for 10 minutes daily, then spit it out. (I do it when I bathe) No more canker sores and your teeth will be whiter without expensive pastes. Use it instead of mouthwash. (Small pri nt says mouth wash and gargle right on the bottle)

2. Let your toothbrushes soak in a cup of "Peroxide" to keep them free of germs.

3. Clean your counters, table tops with peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a lit tle on your dishrag when you wipe, or spray it on the counters.

4. After rinsing off your wooden cutting board, pour peroxide on it to kill salmonella and other bacteria.

5. I had fungus on my feet for years - until I sprayed a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every night and let dry.

6. Soak any infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for five to ten minutes several times a day. My husband has seen gangrene that would not heal w ith any medicine, but was healed by soaking in peroxide.

7. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect without harming your septic system like bleach or most other disinfectants will .

8. Tilt your h ead back and spray into nostrils with your 50/50 mixture whenever you have a c old, or plugged sinuses. It will bubble and help to kill the bacteria. Hold for a few minutes then blow your nose into a tissue.

9. If you have a terrible toothache and cannot get to a dentist right away, put a capful of 3% peroxide into your mouth and hold it for ten minutes several times a day. The pain will lessen greatly.

10. And of course, if you like a natural look to your hair, spray the 50/50 solution on your wet hair after a shower and comb it through. You will not have the peroxide burnt blonde hair like the hair dye packages, but more natural highlights if your hair is a light brown, reddish, or dirty bl onde. It also lightens gradually so it's not a drastic change.

11. Put half a bottle of peroxide in your bath to help rid boils, fungu s, or other skin infections.

12. You can also add a cup of peroxide instead of bleach to a load of white s in your laundry to wh iten them. If there is blood on clothing, pour directly on the soiled spot. Let i t sit for a minute, then rub it and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.

13. I use peroxide to clean my mirrors with, and there is no smearing which is why I love it so much for this.

I could go on and on. It is a little brown bottle no home should be without! With prices of most necessities rising, I'm glad there's a way to save tons of money in such a simple, healthy manner.

Friday, November 29, 2013

Midwife Kerry Mackenzie has tried to move on with her life to no avail. Her deceased husband’s parents expect her to remain true to his memory. But at twenty-four, Kerry’s too young to wear widow weeds for the rest of her life. Seeking independence, she takes a job miles from home that will require her to move. Things may have worked out as planned if she hadn’t gotten stranded on the way…

Ranch owner Damian Greer happens upon Kerry perched alongside her disabled car on an Amarillo highway. Coming from a family whose members move quickly when it comes to love, the instant attraction he feels is no surprise. After observing her during an emergency, he suspects she may be the woman for him.

When it appears her car will be out of commission for a few days, Damian offers to drive Kerry to Albuquerque to meet with her realtor. Can Damian convince her to abandon her plan, and give them a chance?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The baby boy slid out of its mother’s body just as two medics pushed a gurney up to the truck. Kerry quickly used her index finger to clear the infant’s mouth.

The baby sucked in a breath, and let out with a wail. Damian released the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. Hopefully, he wouldn’t embarrass himself by having anyone notice the tears standing in his eyes.

His trembling fingers ran through his hair, tugging at his scalp. Never in his life had he witnessed anything so incredible. He took in a deep gulp of air and grinned. Kerry’s face lit up, and her gaze connected with his. In the flashing light from the bar, their eyes locked. Her face shone with sweat, curls plastered to her head, almost as if she had given birth.

He fought the urge to grab this woman and kiss her senseless. His previous sense of finally having found the right one for him hit him like a fist to the gut.

Dude, you’re in big trouble.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

I’ve been making up stories since elementary school, and writing gave me a way to turn off the voices in my head. After having a number of articles and interviews published in newspapers and magazines, I took on what I’d always dreamed of. Writing that book. I currently have a number of both historical and contemporary romance books published. Visit my website for more information. www.calliehutton.com

I currently live in Oklahoma with my husband and adult children who move in and out with alarming regularity. Add three rescue dogs and the household is complete—and full. I enjoy hearing from my readers, and would love to have you visit me on Facebook.

Callie will be awarding an autographed copy of any of her in-print books, (A Run For Love; An Angel in the Mail; A Tumble Through Time; Emma's Journey; A Prescription For Love) and a hand-made beaded bookmark (US ONY) to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:

Monday, November 25, 2013

Thanks, Tina for having me as your guest during this busy season
of the year.

One of the biggest problems any writer faces is finding fresh material.
I usually get my plot ideas from dreams, but my holiday romance, Journey of the
Magi, sprang from Christmas decorating.

I was setting up my Manger under the tree and my grand-daughter
asked about the extra figures I have crowding the space.

She pointed at a beat-up, peeling set of three Wisemen. They
belonged to my Grand-Mother and my Mother used them for years. When she passed
away I took them. Memories washed over me and I wished I could share them all.
The idea for a woman taking her children to her childhood home so they could
have Christmas there bloomed like a Poinsettia.

It wasn’t easy to refine my idea into a love story, but I did.

To get back to my original point, ideas can spring from anywhere.
A writer needs to choose what can be turned into a viable story. I have dozens
of scene ideas stored in my files. Ideas that never got beyond a flicker. I
also have several stories that are in progress. One of them is another
Christmas story for next year.

Journey of the Magi blurb:

Widow Noel Martin never
breaks promises, and she promised her kids they’d have Christmas at her
childhood home in Connecticut. But driving across country takes money. Noel is
broke when a snowstorm blows them into a tiny Minnesota café owned by a man who
can change her mind. She accepts his offer of a job. Despite her attraction to
him, she makes it clear she is only temporary help.

Dan Longstreet isn’t adopting
any more strays, but he needs a waitress. Dan works so hard to make his café a success, he doesn't have
time for love.Though Noel’s slender blonde
beauty stuns him and her two adorable children tug at his heart, he denies how
they threaten to change his life.

When tragedy strikes, their
new-found love is the first victim. Noel can't stay and Dan can't
leave. Will their journey be the gift that reunites them? http://amzn.com/B00ES5DZEQ

Excerpt from Journey of the Magi:

“Oh, Holly, how many times have I told you
not to open the door to strangers?”

Holly stared at her mother.

“That’s what Dan said, too.” Her forehead
wrinkled as she pursed her mouth. “Do all grown-ups say the same things?”

“Not all. And I think you should call him Mr.
Longstreet.”

“I did. But he said I could call him Dan
since you were already friends.”

Noel ducked her head to avoid Holly’s gaze as
her stomach warmed. Friends? Her pulse raced and her skin tingled when he was
close, not feelings she had for a friend. Dan sparked a strong attraction in
her, but she had no intention of acting on it. She had to keep firmly to her
goal: they were going home.

Home. She’d dreamed of returning for so long.
If she was honest, going home had been her hope for years. The big old
farmhouse had given a sad, lonely child more than shelter. It held the memories
of loving arms cradling her, fresh-baked cookies and safety. All the things she
wanted for her babies.

Nicholas gave a contented hiccup and she
eased him over to burp. As soon as she dressed, she’d remind Dan she had to
leave before Christmas.http://amzn.com/B00ES5DZEQ

Thursday, November 21, 2013

“Trust me; a sure fire way for any relationship
to fail is to expect someone to change for you. It’s too much pressure. You
have to let people be who they are.”

This quote is from Brig, Jordie’s grandfather, who
is a retired Brigadier General in the Marines. Sound advice from a voice of
experience and reason!

One of the most common difficulties teens have in
relationships (and many adults share) is trying to control or change the other
person. This is a central theme in this story and one that nicely resolves at
the end when Jordie finally learns to let go of trying to “fix” Alex.

Accepting people for who they are and loving them in spite of their
flaws is what real love is about. In HEAVEN IS FOR HEROES, Jordie has lost her
brother Levi in the war in Iraq. But she doesn’t believe the military report
that his best friend and fellow Marine, Alex Cooper, is at fault. Alex was the
careful one—the shy, protective, computer geek she’s had a crush on since the
ninth grade, and she knows better than anyone that her troubled brother had a
dark and reckless side—a secret she’s kept for far too long.

With no memory of the incident
that killed his best friend, nineteen year-old Alex Cooper returns home, shattered
and facing a difficult recovery. Determined to go it alone, he pushes Jordie
away. No longer the freckle-faced tom-boy who followed him and Levi around as a
kid, she has become a beautiful and stubborn young woman who believes in him
far more than he deserves.

While Jordie’s unique approach to
rehab pushes Alex to extremes, the two discover that their childhood friendship
has grown into more. The attraction has Jordie’s head spinning and her heart
soaring, but Alex struggles to deal with his guilt, his loss, and the
nightmares that continue to haunt him. Even though Jordie is determined to help
him heal and even more determined to find the truth, what she finds is love.
But can that love overcome the pain of loss that they share? And will Jordie
figure out that the best way to show someone you love them is to let them go?

I hope you enjoy this sweet
Thanksgiving story about love, redemption, and the ways in which even imperfect
people can support and sustain one another through difficult times.

Kristan
Higgins, NYT and USA Today bestselling author says,

“Filled with the complex emotions of grief, confusion and
first love, HEAVEN IS FOR HEROES is a rich, uplifting story that will touch a
reader’s heart.”

PJ Sharon is the award winning author
of several independently published, contemporary young adult novels, including
HEAVEN IS FOR HEROES, ON THIN ICE, and SAVAGE CINDERELLA, winner of the 2013
HOLT Medallion Award for outstanding literary talent and the 2013 National
Excellence in Romance Fiction Award. She is excitedly working on The Chronicles
of Lily Carmichael, a YA Dystopian trilogy. WANING MOON, Book One in the
trilogy, was a finalist in the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Awards
and the Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence. Book Two, Western Desert released
in June of 2013.

Writing young adult fiction since 2007
and following her destiny to write romantic and hopeful stories for teens, PJ
is a member of Romance Writers of America, CTRWA, and YARWA. She is mother to
two grown sons and lives with her husband in the Berkshire Hills of Western MA.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

There are those who can't see and those who don't want to, but we're all blind sometimes.

Blurb

Ace is blind and Haze is damaged. They live in different worlds and not everyone is happy when they become boyfriends. Haze is struggling with the after effects of a traumatic event in his past that has left him at the mercy of an uncontrollable rage. When Ace’s brother steps up his campaign of torment against Ace, they’re all in danger from Haze’s outbursts, though it isn’t until things get completely out of control that the healing can really begin. But with Ace unseeing and Haze perched on the edge of a cliff, will either of them survive long enough to benefit?

Monday, November 18, 2013

This quirky and fast moving romance revolves around passionate lovers in tangled and mostly unfulfilling relationships. The tale is complete with hot housewives, rock musicians, exotic dancers, motorcycles, steamy nail polish-melting love scenes, hard drinking college professors, hybrid alien children, a romantic bug exterminator, girl fights, a New Year’s Eve brawl, religious zealotry, prophecies (The Temple of Just DOET) —and more. Ultimately, Love in the RV Park is about the male perception [misperception?] of the female psyche.—and the novel attempts to answer an age-old question: What do women want? Laugh or cry—you’ll come away enlightened after reading this zany romance.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Johnny Roz
Retired English Teacher

Johnny was a capable and careful man who kept a clean apartment. He wasn’t hooked up to cable, or dish TV, but he occasionally watched network events on the seven inch screen antenna-driven handheld model he bought at Sticky Mart for forty bucks.

Johnny had never been married. He often wondered about the life he lived, and realized financial security provided little in the way of emotional comfort.

Johnny had always been fascinated by women, but had realized few “connections” with them. He had maintained female friends at work, but not many.

A bit of a rhetorician, he often spent his days contemplating, analyzing, and critically reviewing the following question relating to human behavior: What do women want? Ah, Johnny knew Chaucer had an answer, Jerry Springer was curious, Virginia Woolf had a speculative idea or thirty, and Hollywood had churned out their notions in millions of senses-numbing bad movies, but he himself was at a total loss.

John was having a series of dreams lately—those kinds you have in the moments before you wake up—which were totally depressing him. In the dreams, the formula, the plot line, was nearly always the same. To wit:

Julia, an attractive and unhappily-married housewife from down the street, knocks on his door. He opens the door to see her, smiling, holding a measuring cup in her left hand. In each of the dreams, she has asked for something different—sometimes sugar, sometimes milk, sometimes cream, sometimes salsa, sometimes peanut oil. Once she even asked for cloves of garlic. He invites her into the front room, takes the cup, and finds the spice or ingredient she needs back in the kitchen. When he returns to the darkening room, she is always sitting on the couch, twirling a strand of auburn hair with one hand, and, with the other, patting the couch, signaling him to sit down next to her, next to her shapely form.

Her lips are pouty and beyond energized. She breathes heavily, with poignant and powerful desire. Her legs cross and uncross rhythmically. Um. Can you feel the heat?
Johnny always places the cup on his beat-up old coffee table and looks into Julia’s clear eyes—crystal pools of composure and need.

She puts her arms around him and nuzzles his chicken-skin wrinkly neck, and then she snuggles into Johnny. Now her lips are moist and panting. The old guy reaches out and hugs her, feels her curves, and is overwhelmed by a gloaming sense of comfort, love, connection. Her breath is sweet, her hands are satin, and the moment is warm and complete.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Jeffrey Ross, who resides in Arizona, is a writer, rockabilly musician, and former full-time community college teacher. He has had four "Views" pieces published on InsidehigherEd.com, has authored and co-authored several national and international op-ed articles on community college identity, purpose, and culture, and has recently published numerous parody poems and articles on the Cronk Newshigher education satire website. Ross co-authored the comic and critically acclaimed campus novel College Leadership Crisis: The Philip Dolly Affair (Rogue Phoenix Press, 2011).

Thursday, November 14, 2013

"He looked up, his black eyes capturing hers. Ari caught her breath, flushing with warmth, as her witch magic began to sing. Why, after all these months, did she still react to him this way?"

Blurb:

A dead body, black magic, and a vampire enforcer...

Ari thought her biggest problem was deciding if she should move in with her vampire boyfriend, Andreas. That was before they found the dead body at the bottom of the Riverdale cliffs. And before she realized he'd been cursed by black magic.

Just as she begins the murder investigation, the vampire rulers in Europe send an enforcer to make inquiries into the recent defeat of the Toronto vampire prince. While Andreas has taken responsibility for the brutal dictator’s death, there is much about the incident that he and Ari must keep to themselves—secrets the vampire elders would stop at nothing to learn.

With threats of retaliation hanging over their heads, Ari moves into Andreas’s Victorian mansion—for safety’s sake—while the enforcer begins a campaign of terror. Ari is caught between competing dangers and challenges: black magic, a ghost, a missing Native American artifact…not to mention a new roommate…all while trying to stay alive…

And sometimes we find love in the most unexpected places, a place like Starfish Shores.

Here Comes McBride

Shelby James has only truly loved one man — but Finn McBride broke her heart when emotional baggage from his past came between them. Now, Shelby is serving as maid of honor at a beach wedding where Finn is the best man. Will reuniting with Finn be a Christmas miracle, or the worst mistake she's ever made?

Two Hearts a Leaping

After a break-up with her high school sweetheart, Harley Blume retreats to her brother's home in Starfish Shores to lick her wounds and figure out what she's doing next. But her brother is in the Coast Guard reserves and heading out of town, leaving her in the care of Liam Channing, his best friend since they played college football together. She's never been able to keep her tongue in her mouth when good-looking, easy-going Liam is around. How is she going to find her way if she can't keep her balance?

Cruisin’ for a Kiss

When Avery Phillips loses her magazine job right before Christmas, she heads back home to Starfish Shores to spend the holidays with the grandparents who raised her. The plan is to hit the job search hard so that she has a new position when the New Year arrives. What isn’t part of the plan is heading up a remodeling effort at her family’s beach motel or falling for the man helping to save the business into which her grandparents put a lifetime of work. As Christmas draws closer, will Avery stick to the original plan to leave town again or take a chance with Luke Taylor and a new life she never expected?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cruisin’ for a Kiss
By Trish Milburn

If the last contractor didn’t present her with a more reasonable figure, she’d start all over tomorrow. Surely there was someone out there who’d be grateful enough for work this time of year to cut her a nice deal.

When the door opened, she glanced up expecting to see another middle-aged guy who’d gone a little soft around the middle. At a glance, she was going to guess there wasn’t anything soft about the man staring back at her. Tall, lean, dark blond hair and light eyes. It wasn’t until he shot her a hint of a grin that she remembered it wasn’t nice to stare at hot strangers.

Way to go, Phillips.

She resisted the urge to check her mouth for drool.

“You called about an estimate,” he said as he sauntered up to the front counter.

Hoping her legs supported her, Avery stood. “Yeah. We want to give the place a new but vintage look.” She broke eye contact and took her time rounding the counter so she could try to corral her suddenly raging hormones.

She led him to the area they used for continental breakfasts and told him about her idea for a soda fountain, black-and-white checked floor tiles and a pressed tin ceiling.

“I know all that might not be possible, but I’m just looking to get ballpark figures now.”

“I think we can work something out.”

Something about his voice seemed familiar, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. She allowed her gaze to stay focused on him a little too long as he wrote in a small notepad. He smiled, more fully this time, when he lifted his eyes to catch her watching.

“You don’t remember me, do you?”

She was supposed to know him? Surely she would have remembered someone that good looking. Not only remembered but had wild, steamy dreams about him.

“I’m sorry.”

She expected him to give her his name, but he didn’t. No, he left her dangling on the hook, desperately searching her brain for the names of every man with whom she’d ever crossed paths. He looked about her age. A classmate? He acted like he had some sway with whether his company took the project or not, so maybe he was the owner? The names of all the companies she’d called the day before floated through her head until one clicked. Taylor Construction.

Surely not. It couldn’t be.

“Luke?”

“Bingo.”

This definitely wasn’t the Luke Taylor she remembered. The one she knew had been more on the nerdy end of the scale than the make-me-pant end. He hadn’t been ugly, but he’d rarely looked up from his books. And he’d lived behind glasses and worn clothes that were either forgettable or further proclaimed his geekitude. She’d expected him to grow up to be a medical researcher or rocket scientist, not a construction worker.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bios and Links:

MJ Fredrick knows about chasing dreams. Twelve years after she completed her first novel, she signed her first publishing contract. Now she divides her days between teaching elementary music, and diving into her own writing—traveling everywhere in her mind, from Belize to Honduras to Africa to the past.

She's a four-time Golden Heart Award finalist, and she won the 2009 Eppie Award with Hot Shot and the 2010 Eppie with Breaking Daylight. She was a 2012 Epic Award finalist with Don’t Look Back.

Four-time RITA finalist Tanya Michaels is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than thirty books. Her stories incorporate the same elements she values in real life—community, family and a sense of humor. Her current releases include the popular Colorado Cades trilogy for Harlequin American Romance.

Trish Milburn is the author of contemporary romance for Harlequin American Romance, paranormal romance for Harlequin Nocturne, young adult fiction for Bell Bridge Books and indie publishes her romantic suspense, women’s fiction and other titles. She’s a two-time Golden Heart award winner, a fan of walks in the woods and road trips, and is a big geek girl, including being a dedicated Whovian and Browncoat.

Twitter: @TrishMilburn

GIVING AWAY:

The authors will award a $50 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

A dictator has taken over the United States and Annie Peterson has been arrested at a protest. The sentence for treason is death, or...

"Well, it was prostitution or death. Annie supposed she could endure ten years as a prostitute. ...

Blurb

The future is a dangerous place for dreamers and idealists.

When a dictator takes over the United States, Annie Peterson attends a protest in Washington, DC, with her husband Paul. US troops fire into the crowd killing him, and Jake Johnsrud, a virtual stranger, risks his life to save hers. They are among the survivors who are sentenced to slavery on the Moon for their “crimes”—Jake as a miner; Annie as a sex slave.

Jake fights increasing feelings of anger and jealousy as Annie struggles to perform her job, while she resists her increasing attraction to him. Along with their fellow inmates, they fight to survive on the lunar "rock" that is their prison.

Along with rewards, magic breeds danger. Star, Adam and Tristan submit to study with the secret authoritarian group, the Vigilar, in preparation to reveal the existence of magical beings to the world. But will this knowledge be used for good or evil? Doubts creep in when Star is assigned to work with Lucas, a man from Adam’s past, a man known to have dangerous ideas. Bigger problems arise during a sensual ménage when they discover a shape changer dragon in their midst. Lucas claims the Vigilar plan to use shifters, especially powerful beings like dragons, for malevolent purposes, which puts Star and her special abilities in danger. Adam must devise a strategy to thwart the Vigilar and learn more about this controlling entity. While implementing their plans, Star struggles with the fear of unleashing and learning to control all the powers within her. She struggles, too, with her feelings for Adam. Should she fight against her deepening love for a man who could desire power more than he loves her? The combustion of a potent sexual ritual forces Adam to face the question of their love and for Star to awaken the fire within.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

They say it’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.

Finn McGraw disagrees.

He was just seventeen when he had a torrid summer affair with the girl who stole his heart—and then inexplicably turned on him. Finn may have moved on with his life, but he’s never forgotten her.

Now, ten years later, he’s got more than his lost love to worry about. A horrific accident turns his life upside down, resurrecting the ghosts of his long-dead family and taking the lives of the few people he has left.

Finn always believed his estranged brother was responsible for the fire that killed their family—but an unexpected inheritance with a mystery attached throws everything he knows into doubt.

And on top of that, the beguiling daughter of his wealthy employer has secrets of her own. But the closer he gets, the harder she pushes him away.

The Seacrest is a story of intrigue and betrayal, of secrets and second chances—and above all, of a love that never dies.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

July 2nd, 1997

We collapsed on the sand with the ball between us, breathing hard and laughing.

“You’re pretty good at this,” she said.

I leaned back on my arms and chuckled. “So are you. For a girl.”

She sat up and hit my arm. “What? For a girl?”

Afraid she’d storm off, I took her hand and pulled her close to me. “I’m just kidding! Really, you’re good, even for a guy.”

I tried to think of the most popular names of our generation, hoping it was one of them.

“Allison?”

“Uhnt-uh.” She shook her head.

“Give me a hint.”

“No.”

“Oh, come on!” I frowned. “How can I guess?”

“You have to.”

“Okay. Hannah? Jessica? Carly? Jenna? Lisa?”

“No, no, no, no, and no.”

“Hey. How ‘bout if I tell you my name?”

“What is it?”

I hesitated. “It’s a weird one.”

“Tell me.”

“Okay. It’s Finn.”

She tilted her head. “That’s not weird. I like it. Finn.” She seemed to taste the letters on her tongue, enjoying the feel of it. “It’s different. But nice.”

“Okay. Your turn.” I sat forward expectantly.

“Nope. I’m not telling. You have to keep guessing.”

I ran through all the names I could imagine, and didn’t hit on it. Frustrated now, I flopped back on the sand. “Okay. Then I’m gonna make up a name for you.”

She made a face. “Really?” Quickly, she leaned over me, her face blocking the sun.

In a sudden rush of feeling, I wanted to pull her to me, to smother her in kisses, to taste the salt on her skin.

“Okay, what’s it gonna be? What’s my new name?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Aaron Paul Lazar writes to soothe his soul. An award-winning author of three addictive mystery series, writing books, and a new love story, Aaron enjoys the Genesee Valley countryside in upstate New York, where his characters embrace life, play with their dogs and grandkids, grow sumptuous gardens, and chase bad guys. Visit his website at http://www.lazarbooks.com and watch for his upcoming Twilight Times Books releases, SANCTUARY (2014), and VIRTUOSO (2014).

Aaron will be awarding at random six individual prizes to six randomly drawn commenters during the tour: For the Birds eBook(Kindle, Nook, or PDF), For the Birds Audio Book narrated by Hannah Seusy, For the Birds print book, Essentially Yours eBook (Kindle, Nook, PDF), Essentially Yours Audio Book, narrated by Hannah Seusy, Essentially Yours print book.